Development of AI Regulation in Ukraine in 2026

How many companies use AI in Ukraine

According to the latest research by the Ministry of Digital Transformation (surveying over 200 Ukrainian companies), the picture regarding the use of AI in business is as follows:

• 25.6% of Ukrainian companies have already fully integrated AI into their work processes;
• 67.2% are actively using and developing this practice;
• 5.3% plan to use it in the future;
• 1.9% do not plan to use AI in their work.

These figures demonstrate that the integration of AI into business processes in Ukraine is no longer a trend of the future, but a current reality. To foster further business confidence and ensure a proper understanding of the application of such technologies, the regulatory framework must be constantly updated and improved.

In this article, we will examine the current state of AI regulation in Ukraine, key documents, and the next steps in the development of AI legislation in Ukraine by 2026.

Development of AI legislation in Ukraine

As of today, there is no single comprehensive law on artificial intelligence in Ukraine. Instead, provisions from several laws apply, including those on personal data protection, copyright and consumer rights, electronic communications, and e-commerce. Together, they establish rules for safety, quality, and transparency of products and services in Ukraine.

New AI regulation requirements for businesses in Ukraine are driven by the obligation to align with EU legislation, particularly the EU AI Act.

In December 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Ukraine. This strategic document aims to promote AI as one of the key drivers of social and economic growth in Ukraine through 2030.

AI Regulation Roadmap by the Ministry of Digital Transformation: the “Bottom-up” approach

The phased development of AI legislation in Ukraine is outlined in the AI Regulation Roadmap created by the AI Expert Committee under the Ministry of Digital Transformation. It establishes a “Bottom-up” approach — from smaller steps to larger ones — implemented in two stages:

• engagement with stakeholders, considering industry interests and providing companies with tools to prepare for global standards;
• adoption of a law analogous to the EU AI Act in Ukraine.

The question “When will Ukraine adopt an EU AI Act equivalent?” remains open, but the roadmap clearly states: first dialogue with the market, then stricter regulation.

Key documents: White Paper, Code, recommendations

As part of the AI regulatory development plan for businesses in Ukraine, the following have already been developed and published:

• The White Paper on AI regulation in Ukraine — a foundational analytical document outlining the regulatory vision;
• The Voluntary Code of Responsible AI Use — establishing ethical AI principles for companies;
• Recommendations on ethical AI use in advertising and marketing — for businesses using AI in marketing and advertising, including transparency and labeling requirements.

These documents form the foundation of responsible AI in Ukraine and represent the first step toward full AI compliance for companies.

AI Sandbox by the Ministry of Digital Transformation: how to join and what it offers

Since 2025, a new effective instrument has been the AI Sandbox — a pilot legal regime for AI in Ukraine launched by the Ministry of Digital Transformation together with the Ukrainian Startup Fund.

To understand how to join the AI Sandbox and what it provides:

• it offers startups expert support and the opportunity to develop AI products even in the absence of a full regulatory framework;
• it allows the government to identify legal barriers and collect practical data for future regulatory policy;
• the AI sandbox for startups in Ukraine is a testing ground for innovative solutions in a controlled environment without the risk of violating rules that do not yet exist.

Thus, AI startups in Ukraine receive a legal environment for safe development while helping shape future legislation.

International standards and AI governance in Ukraine 2026

The development of AI regulation in Ukraine is not happening in isolation — the country is actively adapting leading international safe-AI standards. Below is an overview of the key frameworks shaping AI governance in Ukraine in 2026.

EU AI Act and its future Ukrainian analogue

The EU AI Act — the world’s first comprehensive AI law adopted by the EU — is the main benchmark for shaping similar Ukrainian legislation. The question “When will Ukraine adopt an EU AI Act analogue?” remains central in regulatory discussions. According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation’s roadmap, an EU AI Act–style law is planned for the second stage of reform, after market consultations and practical experience gained through the Sandbox.

Key EU AI Act principles Ukraine aims to integrate include:

• a risk-based approach;
• prohibition of manipulative systems;
• transparency for end users;
• accountability of developers.

Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI: what it means for business

At the EURODIG 2025 conference in Strasbourg, Ukraine joined the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. The convention will enter into force after ratification by the Verkhovna Rada.

For businesses, this means that the Convention’s principles will indirectly extend to the private sector. The state will create initiatives to help companies embed human-rights-based approaches into their products.

In particular, the Ministry of Digital Transformation plans to implement the Council of Europe’s HUDERIA methodology. HUDERIA (Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law Impact Assessment) is an AI risk and impact assessment methodology that evaluates AI systems from the perspective of human rights, democracy, and rule of law. It is expected to become a mandatory checklist for companies developing or deploying AI solutions in public procurement or regulated sectors.

NIST 2.0 in Ukraine: cybersecurity and AI

In 2026, the State Service of Special Communications approved a package of regulations based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.

NIST 2.0 in Ukraine is a voluntary framework focused on proactive risk management and operational resilience through five key functions:

• Identify — understanding risks;
• Protect — preventive measures;
• Detect — incident monitoring;
• Respond — incident response;
• Recover — restoration of operations after attacks.

For companies deploying AI, this means ensuring a secure AI pipeline and implementing strong internal cybersecurity procedures.

OECD AI Principles and Ukraine

Ukraine joined the OECD Recommendation on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles) in 2020 as an adherent. These principles are not legally binding but set the global standard for “trustworthy and responsible AI.” For AI compliance in Ukraine, they serve as a baseline for internal governance policies and codes of conduct.

AIEI: international partner in AI governance development

A key international partner in implementing AI standards is the AI Ethics and Integrity International Association (AIEI). Its initiatives focus on:

• developing AI governance principles and responsible AI standards;
• creating AI compliance assessment platforms;
• providing training and analytical programs for business and governments.

Participation in AIEI initiatives enables Ukrainian companies to integrate international AI governance standards today, without waiting for a national AI law to be adopted.

AI business and startups in Ukraine 2026: a growing market

Ukraine is currently an active market for testing and launching startups. The question of how businesses should prepare for AI regulation in Ukraine is becoming increasingly relevant amid the growing number of AI projects.

Ukrainian tech unicorns: AI unicorns from Ukraine

The unicorn status (startups valued at over $1 billion globally) has officially been reached by AirSlate, Creatio, GitLab, People.ai, Unstoppable Domains, and Superhuman (creator of Grammarly).

At the end of 2025, the Ukrainian IT holding Fintech-IT Group, behind monobank, raised investment from UMAEF at a valuation exceeding $1 billion.
At the beginning of 2026, language-learning marketplace Preply, heavily focused on AI, raised $150 million and reached a valuation of $1.2 billion.

These cases clearly show that Ukrainian AI tech unicorns are no longer exceptions but a systemic trend.

How businesses can prepare for AI regulation: practical checklist

For companies implementing or planning to implement AI, AI compliance in Ukraine means taking concrete steps:

• Review the White Paper and Voluntary AI Code by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine — key documents for understanding regulatory expectations.
• Implement an internal Responsible AI policy aligned with OECD AI Principles and AI Ethics and Integrity International Association standards.
• Conduct risk assessments using the HUDERIA methodology — especially for companies developing AI for public procurement or socially sensitive sectors.
• Consider participation in the AI Sandbox by the Ministry of Digital Transformation for startups and companies testing new AI solutions.
• Monitor developments around the EU AI Act in Ukraine — an analogue is expected, and early preparation is crucial.
• Ensure AI security in line with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 — particularly important for companies with government contracts or operating in critical infrastructure sectors.

Conclusions: AI regulation in Ukraine — a window of opportunity for business

AI technologies are already активно used by businesses in Ukraine. The government supports their development while gradually establishing clear rules aligned with European standards. The development of AI legislation in Ukraine in 2026 is a dynamic process in which businesses can — and should — actively participate.

The key message for companies: it is possible to enter the market now, test solutions even without strict regulation (including through sandbox initiatives), and simultaneously prepare for future requirements that will be aligned with the EU AI Act and other international standards of the European Union.

AI regulation in Ukraine in 2026 is not a barrier, but a competitive advantage for companies that prepare early.